Democrats blast redistricting plan

The chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin says proposed redistricting plans are nothing more than a power grab by the GOP. The new maps released Friday would change the borders of legislative districts around the state. Republicans says the proposal fulfills their constitutional duty to redraw the district lines of the state based on new population data from the 2010 census.

DPW chairman Mike Tate argues the proposal is another attempt by the GOP to consolidate its power. He says any Republican who claims otherwise is either telling a “bald faced lie” or just showing “stunning ignorance from an elected official.”

Tate says the proposed lines would result in some challengers in Senate recall races and incumbent Democrats living outside of their current districts. For example, he says the new maps would place Senator Bob Wirch’s (D-Pleasant Prairie) home outside of his district, which Tate says is a clear sign that Republicans don’t believe they can unseat him in a recall election set for next month.

The last time the state did redistricting the maps were decided in the courts. Tate plans to fight a similar battle this time around and says Democrats will be exploring all legal avenues to stop a “repugnant naked power grab of a redistricting map that does nothing to better the state of Wisconsin.”

Republicans are expected to push for quick passage of the plan, possibly by July 19th.